Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions
Abstract Cancer immunotherapy, encompassing both experimental and standard-of-care therapies, has emerged as a promising approach to harnessing the immune system for tumor suppression. Experimental strategies, including novel immunotherapies and preclinical models, are actively being explored, while...
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| Format: | Article |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Molecular Cancer |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02305-x |
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| author | Meiyin Zhang Chaojun Liu Jing Tu Min Tang Milad Ashrafizadeh Noushin Nabavi Gautam Sethi Peiqing Zhao Shijian Liu |
| author_facet | Meiyin Zhang Chaojun Liu Jing Tu Min Tang Milad Ashrafizadeh Noushin Nabavi Gautam Sethi Peiqing Zhao Shijian Liu |
| author_sort | Meiyin Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Cancer immunotherapy, encompassing both experimental and standard-of-care therapies, has emerged as a promising approach to harnessing the immune system for tumor suppression. Experimental strategies, including novel immunotherapies and preclinical models, are actively being explored, while established treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), are widely implemented in clinical settings. This comprehensive review examines the historical evolution, underlying mechanisms, and diverse strategies of cancer immunotherapy, highlighting both its clinical applications and ongoing preclinical advancements. The review delves into the essential components of anticancer immunity, including dendritic cell activation, T cell priming, and immune surveillance, while addressing the challenges posed by immune evasion mechanisms. Key immunotherapeutic strategies, such as cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, adoptive cell transfer, and ICIs, are discussed in detail. Additionally, the role of nanotechnology, cytokines, chemokines, and adjuvants in enhancing the precision and efficacy of immunotherapies were explored. Combination therapies, particularly those integrating immunotherapy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, exhibit synergistic potential but necessitate careful management to reduce side effects. Emerging factors influencing immunotherapy outcomes, including tumor heterogeneity, gut microbiota composition, and genomic and epigenetic modifications, are also examined. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying immune evasion and therapeutic resistance are analyzed, with a focus on the contributions of noncoding RNAs and epigenetic alterations, along with innovative intervention strategies. This review emphasizes recent preclinical and clinical advancements, with particular attention to biomarker-driven approaches aimed at optimizing patient prognosis. Challenges such as immunotherapy-related toxicity, limited efficacy in solid tumors, and production constraints are highlighted as critical areas for future research. Advancements in personalized therapies and novel delivery systems are proposed as avenues to enhance treatment effectiveness and accessibility. By incorporating insights from multiple disciplines, this review aims to deepen the understanding and application of cancer immunotherapy, ultimately fostering more effective and widely accessible therapeutic solutions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8741c7e35e23489c9d1c353d1df66dbe |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1476-4598 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecular Cancer |
| spelling | doaj-art-8741c7e35e23489c9d1c353d1df66dbe2025-08-20T02:15:11ZengBMCMolecular Cancer1476-45982025-05-0124114810.1186/s12943-025-02305-xAdvances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directionsMeiyin Zhang0Chaojun Liu1Jing Tu2Min Tang3Milad Ashrafizadeh4Noushin Nabavi5Gautam Sethi6Peiqing Zhao7Shijian Liu8Department of Surgical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer HospitalDepartment of Breast Surgery, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital; People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou University; People’s Hospital of Henan UniversityDepartment of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing UniversityDepartment of Oncology, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing UniversityDepartment of Radiation Oncology and Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesIndependent ResearcherDepartment of Pharmacology and NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR) Yong Loo Lin, School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeTranslational Medicine Center, Zibo Central Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical UniversityDepartment of General Medicine, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityAbstract Cancer immunotherapy, encompassing both experimental and standard-of-care therapies, has emerged as a promising approach to harnessing the immune system for tumor suppression. Experimental strategies, including novel immunotherapies and preclinical models, are actively being explored, while established treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), are widely implemented in clinical settings. This comprehensive review examines the historical evolution, underlying mechanisms, and diverse strategies of cancer immunotherapy, highlighting both its clinical applications and ongoing preclinical advancements. The review delves into the essential components of anticancer immunity, including dendritic cell activation, T cell priming, and immune surveillance, while addressing the challenges posed by immune evasion mechanisms. Key immunotherapeutic strategies, such as cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, adoptive cell transfer, and ICIs, are discussed in detail. Additionally, the role of nanotechnology, cytokines, chemokines, and adjuvants in enhancing the precision and efficacy of immunotherapies were explored. Combination therapies, particularly those integrating immunotherapy with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, exhibit synergistic potential but necessitate careful management to reduce side effects. Emerging factors influencing immunotherapy outcomes, including tumor heterogeneity, gut microbiota composition, and genomic and epigenetic modifications, are also examined. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying immune evasion and therapeutic resistance are analyzed, with a focus on the contributions of noncoding RNAs and epigenetic alterations, along with innovative intervention strategies. This review emphasizes recent preclinical and clinical advancements, with particular attention to biomarker-driven approaches aimed at optimizing patient prognosis. Challenges such as immunotherapy-related toxicity, limited efficacy in solid tumors, and production constraints are highlighted as critical areas for future research. Advancements in personalized therapies and novel delivery systems are proposed as avenues to enhance treatment effectiveness and accessibility. By incorporating insights from multiple disciplines, this review aims to deepen the understanding and application of cancer immunotherapy, ultimately fostering more effective and widely accessible therapeutic solutions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02305-xCancer immunotherapyTumor microenvironment remodelingImmune evasionClinical and pre-clinicalBiomarker |
| spellingShingle | Meiyin Zhang Chaojun Liu Jing Tu Min Tang Milad Ashrafizadeh Noushin Nabavi Gautam Sethi Peiqing Zhao Shijian Liu Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions Molecular Cancer Cancer immunotherapy Tumor microenvironment remodeling Immune evasion Clinical and pre-clinical Biomarker |
| title | Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions |
| title_full | Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions |
| title_fullStr | Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions |
| title_short | Advances in cancer immunotherapy: historical perspectives, current developments, and future directions |
| title_sort | advances in cancer immunotherapy historical perspectives current developments and future directions |
| topic | Cancer immunotherapy Tumor microenvironment remodeling Immune evasion Clinical and pre-clinical Biomarker |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12943-025-02305-x |
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